Did you use artificial intelligence (AI) to write your book? It’s a question some self-publishing platforms now ask you to answer before you can publish a new book.
However, to be able to answer the question correctly, you need to understand the difference between using AI assistance and AI-generated content.
The two might sound confusingly similar, but they are not the same.
As AI is now involved in many aspects of writing and publishing, it’s worth knowing what you can and can’t do.
The difference between AI-generated and AI assistance
The simple way to define the two is that one creates, and the other helps.
If you use AI to generate content, the AI creates something that you subsequently use in your book.
This could include text, book cover images, or illustrations.
One other use is if you used AI to generate translations.
All of these are usually defined as AI-generated content by publishing platforms.
AI assistance usually means that you used AI tools to help you.
The most common use is for error checking and correction, or for editing help.
Most grammar and writing checkers use AI now, so there’s little difference between using an app or asking an AI assistant to help correct your writing. It also applies to editing or improving original images.
Brainstorming ideas is another form of AI assistance.
If you created the original text or images yourself, AI assistance can help you improve the quality. However, the exact definition of AI assistance varies between publishing platforms.
How do you answer the questions accurately?
You should read a platform’s AI policy before answering, but sometimes it can be a little vague.
For example, Draft2Digital states in its content guidelines:
While we support AI-assisted content we do not accept content that has been generated entirely by AI/LLMs that has not gone through extensive editing from a human.
That leaves the obvious question of how much is “extensive editing from a human?”
Amazon KDP is a little clearer in its content guidelines for AI:
We define AI-generated content as text, images, or translations created by an AI-based tool. If you used an AI-based tool to create the actual content (whether text, images, or translations), it is considered “AI-generated,” even if you applied substantial edits afterwards.
Apple Books goes a little further:
Book content that is AI-generated (i.e., a material portion of the content is generated by an AI-based tool as opposed to a human author), must be labeled as such using “AI Generated by” artist role and declaring the AI-generated creation method in the description. AI-assisted content (i.e., AI has been used by a human author as a tool in idea generation, research, editing, refining text, or producing images for a book composed by a human author) does not require disclosure.
As you can see, the three platforms have similar, but not quite the same definitions of AI-generated and AI assistance.
With these and other publishing services, you can only answer the AI question correctly by reading the platform’s policy before making your disclosure.
Always check the current AI policy of the publishing platform you plan to use.
Policies can change as AI technology develops.
In general, though, understanding the difference between AI-generated content and AI assistance will help you answer these questions accurately.
The obvious question is what happens if you give an inaccurate disclosure? It’s not clear what the consequences might be, but you could have problems publishing your book, or worse, risk account suspension.
AI is everywhere, but nothing is clear
Like all new technologies, changes, updates, improvements, and usage policies are almost a daily event with AI.
Hardly a day goes by without it creating news.
I know writers have differing opinions. Some resist it entirely, while others vary between occasional use and regular daily use.
But it’s a question now of how much use is acceptable and where the red lines are.
No one can say they know the answer, but some rough rule of thumb guidelines are starting to gather a little momentum, particularly with self-publishing services.
Only time will tell where the lines and limits will end.
Can you write your book using AI assistance?
The simple answer is yes. But perhaps “probably” is a better answer.
Under the current policies of Draft2Digital, Amazon KDP, and Apple Books, AI-assisted content is generally acceptable, although their definitions and requirements differ.
But you need to take care, because it’s not clear how far AI correction goes.
If an AI tool corrects a passage in your book and generates the corrected text in full for you to copy and paste, is that AI assistance or generated content?
The answer may depend on the platform’s definition and on exactly how the AI tool was used.
Can your writing be just a little bit AI, but not enough to be disclosed?
That’s still unclear, so it’s a judgment call that only you can make.
However, AI-generated ebooks are clearly present in the Kindle Store, so for some authors, there is no shame in using and admitting to using AI to write books.
It will be an interesting time ahead for self-publishing and book writing.
Summary
AI has become a part of our daily routine for many, and writers are no different.
I use AI to help me correct and improve my writing, and also for researching ideas and brainstorming topics.
Coding is another AI use for me. It’s helped me enormously with writing and editing code I use for my website.
But yes, the nagging question around AI is most often about text generation. That’s why it’s always such a hot topic for writers and authors.
Creative writing is a human endeavor. Hopefully, that’s the only guideline we need.
Related Reading: Should Writers Fear AI? No, But You Need To Adapt
English teacher, writer, and author. Passionate about grammar, creative writing, and self-publishing. Always exploring new tools and tech to help writers succeed.
